Bentonville Public Library

Bentonville Public Library will be closed Thursday, November 28 & Friday, November 29 to observe Thanksgiving. Normal Business hours will resume Saturday, November 30.

The Bentonville Library Foundation's Board of Directors is still sailing high on the outstanding success of the capital campaign to expand the Bentonville Public Library. The support the community showed for the library expansion was outstanding and humbling - a privilege to collaborate with so many to make something so meaningful for so many! The public-private partnership the foundation has had with the City of Bentonville since 2003 is a benefit with impact that elevates an experience for everyone who uses the library to gather, grow, learn, or just chill out with a good book. Just three weeks ago the library celebrated the expanded space with a ribbon cutting event, and since then its as if this new, beautiful space has always existed! The Makerspace is especially busy with classes and opportunities to learn, build, and create. Included in the many new areas is the new Walmart Community Room which is a large, but warm, professional space perfect for meetings, presentations, and classes for organizations and businesses large and small. For information about how you might reserve this space, reach out to Bentonville Public Library and talk with Tara Cloud Clark, Library Marketing Specialist. Once renovation of current library space is completed around February 2025, multiple new meeting rooms will be available in the new Community Center and Business Hub! It just keeps getting better - stay excited, and come by to visit and enjoy the Bentonville Public Library! Pictured below: Public-Private partners Hadi Dudley, Library Director, Howard Kerr, Library Foundation Director, and Teresa Stafford, CFRE Foundation Executive Director; Ribbon Cutting with Mayor Stephanie Orman; the BLF Board of Directors, and; Angela Oxford with the Walmart Foundation. Photograher: Kate Austin

BPL has two positions we are looking to fill. The first is a permanent position with the City of Bentonville. We are looking for a part-time clerk for our Children's Library. Hours are set to Mon/Wed 3pm-8pm & Sat 8:45am-5:15pm (they cannot be changed). More information can be found on the City of Bentonville website linked in our bio. The second is a rotating work-study position for qualifying NWACC students. Hours are flexible up to the allotted number of hours permitted for each student through the federal work-study program. NWACC students can apply through the NWACC work-study program website. Pass it along to someone who would love to work here!

Last week we had our first meeting event in our new Walmart Foundation Community Room! #PlanBentonville had two public meetings last Friday. In the morning was the Steering Committee, and in the afternoon they welcomed City Council, the Planning Commission, and the public to see a presentation of findings and recommendations from consultants for the future growth of Bentonville. Library staff and a City of Bentonville IT representative have been prepping the new space, testing configurations of tables and chairs, and learning how to use the audio/visual equipment, all in preparation for these meetings, and it went mostly without a hitch. The event space was warm, but professional, perfect for the occasion. With large windows letting in lots of light and the hustle of Main Street, the space provided an opportunity for the public to be engaged in the future of Bentonville while sitting in the new public library expansion, a direct result of past efforts to accommodate our changing community. The feedback from guests was largely positive (and constructive criticism was put on the To Do list). Working with Community Partners in this space gives us the opportunity to learn and improve our processes, equipment, and other amenities so that when we open scheduling to the public early next year, we’ll be ready! _____________________________________________________ Heres’s the details of how this space was used: The Walmart Foundation Community Room featured 12 tables in a “U” formation with 24 chairs for City Council and Steering Committee. Seats and tables were located at the front of the room for presenters. About 35 seats are set up at the back and sides of the room to welcome the public. Two large screen displays showed presentation items, the live Zoom stream, and footage from the room’s cameras that are affixed to the walls to provide general shots of presenters and audience. A podium mic was provided for presentation use, and additional wireless mics were placed on the tables around the “U” for Council, Committee, and public questions and comments. Mics also rest in the ceiling to pick up general noise. Coffee from 211 Café was arranged for attendees. Bottles of water were placed in the podium and on presenters’ tables. Attendees and presenters have access to bathrooms and water fountain just across McMillin Lobby. For questions about Plan Bentonville, you can email [email protected].

Bursting with joy about our new logo!

We’re thrilled to see Bentonville Public Library’s new addition come to life at the Ribbon Cutting and Welcome Celebration on October 30! ??????

BPL is closing early Monday, November 4 due to severe weather threat.

After more than 3 years of planning, preparation, and construction, the Bentonville Public Library invites the public for a very special Ribbon Cutting and Welcome Celebration! ?????? Featuring a proclamation by Stephanie Orman, Mayor of Bentonville and an opportunity to meet the organizations who helped make this expansion possible. Come see the new spaces, try your hand at the creator lab, and pick up some FREE goodies while you’re there! TONIGHT: October 30th from 5:00 - 7:30 PM.

More features of our Ribbon Cutting & Welcome Celebration and our new spaces!